Clostridium difficile, illustration

Caption: Clostridium difficile bacterium with peritrichous flagella, computer illustration. C. difficile is Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore forming, rod-shaped prokaryote with peritrichous flagella. It is a spore-forming bacteria that is a normal part of the intestinal flora, especially in young children. C. difficile is the major cause of pseudomembranous colitis and antibiotic produced diarrhoea. It is now becoming resistant to most antibiotics. Treatment is by discontinuing antibiotics and starting specific anticlostridial antibiotics, such as metronidazole.